These minty flavor leaves are not just known for their taste but for their health benefits as well.
Peppermint is a minty herb native to Europe and Asia. For hundreds of years, people have used peppermint both as a flavoring and for its medicinal properties. Peppermint is an ingredient in a variety of modern products, including toothpastes, candies, and teas. Many people drink peppermint tea as a result of they fancy the style, but it may also have a number of potential health benefits. Although there is not much research on peppermint tea itself, researchers have studied some of the oils and other compounds in peppermint leaves, such as menthone, limonene, and menthol.
In this article, we explore some of the potential health benefits of peppermint tea. We also cover risks and considerations.
Fresher breath
Peppermint is a popular flavoring due to its clean, pleasant smell and taste. Drinking peppermint tea can help freshen a person's breath, and it may also have other benefits for fighting bad breath.
Relief from tension headaches
Menthol has a cooling sensation that may help ease tension or migraine headache pain when a person applies peppermint oil to the forehead or temples. It is attainable that the aroma from peppermint tea could have the same result.
Reduced nasal congestion
Vapors from essential oils, such as peppermint oil, have antibacterial properties that may help alleviate some types of upper respiratory infection. Inhaling steam and vapors can be helpful for easing nasal congestion from colds and other upper respiratory infections. Some people find that the vapors from peppermint tea, which contains menthol, also help.
Better digestion
People have long used peppermint as a remedy for digestive issues, such as an upset stomach, bloating, and gas. Taking peppermint oil capsules can help reduce pain in children with a functional abdominal pain disorder. It is attainable that drinking peppermint tea could have the same result.
How much to drink
Person can drink peppermint tea throughout the day. Peppermint tea is of course caffeine-free, which means that it will not keep a person awake at night. It also contains zero calories, which can make it a great alternative to soda, fruit juices, and other sugary drinks. However, flavoring the tea with sugar, honey, or cream will add calories to the drink.
Risks and considerations
It generally very safe for people of all ages to consume. However, some people find that drinking peppermint tea can trigger or worsen symptoms of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). People who are allergic to peppermint or any of the chemicals in peppermint should not drink peppermint tea.
Summary
Peppermint tea could be a standard tea that's naturally calorie- and caffeine-free. Some research has suggested that the oils in peppermint may have a number of other health benefits, such as fresher breath, better digestion, and reduced pain from headaches. It also has antibacterial properties. However, there has been little conclusive research into the specific health benefits of drinking peppermint tea. Although peppermint tea is generally very safe, some people with GERD find that drinking it can trigger or worsen their symptoms.